Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening to demand an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, in one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the conflict began in October 2023.
The rally, which took place at Hostage Square, was the culmination of a day of nationwide protests and a general strike. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum estimated that about 500,000 people attended, though police did not confirm the figure. Chants of 'Bring them all home! Stop the war!' echoed through the crowd.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan and a leading protest figure, said: 'We demand a comprehensive and achievable agreement and an end to the war. We demand what is rightfully ours – our children. The Israeli government has transformed a just war into a pointless war.' A video of Matan, weak and emaciated, was released by the family, who said it was filmed by Hamas and found in Gaza by the army.
Protests also occurred across Israel, with demonstrators blocking roads, setting tyres on fire, and clashing with police. More than 30 people were arrested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised the protesters, claiming their actions 'harden Hamas’s position and draw out the release of our hostages'. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the protests a 'perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas'.
Opposition leader Benny Gantz condemned the government for 'attacking the families of the hostages' while bearing responsibility for their captivity. Egypt said mediators were pushing for a 60-day truce deal involving hostage releases, after talks in Qatar ended without a breakthrough. Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
